To prove it, he indulged in more ocean-hopping tones during his latest interview - with pop star Elton John, this week.

The Essex-born star can be heard chatting with the 70-year-old as part of his role on US show, Extra. And it's likely to spark more criticism.

(Image: Extra TV)

Not least because Elton - who currently resides in the USA - still has a perfectly British pronunciation during the exchange.

Mark, 31, can be heard quizzing the chart-topper about his sons, his fame and plans to retire from touring.

However, his accent is noticeably different from his years on reality TV series The Only Way Is Essex, where he was full-blown cockney geezer.

It comes just a few months after Mark was slammed for his accent during an interview with Liam Neeson.

One viewer asked: "What's happened to your accent Mark?", while another said: "This new accent his putting on makes me cringe so much [sic]."

A third pleaded: "Do not lose ur accent! BRITISH AND PROUD! [sic]"

(Image: Extra TV)

(Image: Extra TV)

Fortunately, Elton ignored the affectation and simply answered the questions.

"They know what I do. They know I'm famous," he said of his chidlren.

"They come and see a show, as they did last week here in Vegas, and they got very excited, and then they went home and it's all about football.

"They are mad about football — all they think about is football. They love my music and they love what I do, but they are not intertwined with it.”

He also revealed that he won;t be sad to quit touring.

“I've been in the back of a van since I was 16. I love performing... but I'll still be creating, I'll be doing records, I'll be writing movie scores and doing more musicals — it's not an end to me being creative, it's just an end to me schlepping!”